Isaiah 38:13
I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁוִּ֤יתִי
I reckoned
H7737
שִׁוִּ֤יתִי
I reckoned
Strong's:
H7737
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to level, i.e., equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e., counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, et
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
2 of 12
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּ֙קֶר֙
till morning
H1242
בֹּ֙קֶר֙
till morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
כֵּ֥ן
H3651
כֵּ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַצְמוֹתָ֑י
all my bones
H6106
עַצְמוֹתָ֑י
all my bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
8 of 12
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
מִיּ֥וֹם
from day
H3117
מִיּ֥וֹם
from day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 12
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Psalms 51:8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.Daniel 6:24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
Historical Context
Lion imagery for destructive force was common in ancient Near East. The metaphor communicated overwhelming, inescapable power crushing its victim.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we maintain faith while honestly acknowledging times when God feels like an adversary?
- What does Hezekiah's raw honesty teach about authentic prayer and lament?
- How do we process suffering that seems directly caused by God rather than merely permitted?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The vivid complaint "I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones" depicts sleepless agony through the night. Comparing God to a lion destroying prey is startling imagery showing the intensity of suffering's felt experience. The repetition "from day even unto night wilt thou make an end of me" emphasizes relentless progression toward death. This raw honesty about experiencing God as adversary during suffering parallels Job's complaints, modeling that faith can include brutal honesty about pain.